Netflix Looks Solid Ahead Of Q4 Earnings
Zacks Investment Research | Jan 16, 2019 08:11PM ET
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) currently has over 130 million paid subscribers across the globe, along with a slew of Television shows including original series and featured films. The streaming giant’s revenues totaled $11.6 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2018, primarily driven by higher subscribers in the United States and international markets.
Market pundits strongly expect an earnings beat for Netflix in its fourth-quarter release, after the closing bell on Jan 17.
Netflix to Benefit From Healthy Subscriber Growth
Solid subscriber additions are widely expected to enhance Netflix’s long-term prospects. The company expects to have added 7.6 million paid subscribers in the fourth quarter, which includes 1.5 million in the United States and 6.1 million in international markets. Thanks to the expansion in subscriber base, the company’s management now expects earnings of 23 cents per share on $4.2 billion revenues.
By ensuring original content on its platform, Netflix has been expanding its subscriber base for quite some time. The suspense thriller “Bird Box” is likely to have driven subscriber numbers in the fourth quarter. A choose-your-own-adventure film, “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” is also expected to be a hit.
Can Anyone Catch Up With Netflix in Streaming?
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) , with its newly-acquired Fox assets, is fast catching up with Netflix’s streaming business. Needless to say, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) , Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and HBO are pouring cash into the streaming business.
But, Netflix gives importance to retaining subscribers in the new media environment. After all, the mantra is not only to grab attention on a particular night but to have a dedicated subscriber base. This has lent Netflix an upper hand over competitors.
Netflix’s Price Increases Signal Confidence in Pricing Power
Netflix, for now, has raised new domestic subscription prices in the range of 12.5% to 18%, and will put it into effect within the next couple of months. This price change should, no doubt, reflect on fourth-quarter revenues. At the same time, such price increases show the company’s confidence in its pricing power. Needless to say, companies that have the ability to raise prices higher than inflation without affecting sales figures are, undoubtedly, great businesses.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRKa) BRK.B CEO Warren Buffett said that “the single most important decision in evaluating a business is pricing power. If you've got the power to raise prices without losing business to a competitor, you've got a very good business.”
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Netflix Will Have a Good Earnings Report
With subscriber count expected to have expanded in the fourth quarter and Netflix’s streaming service far ahead of competition, the earnings numbers should surely impress. Netflix, a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company, currently has an
Netflix, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
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